[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2381-E2382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE CHRIS SHAYS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT 
                 FROM THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished 
career of the Honorable Christopher Shays for his service to the people 
of Connecticut and the United States House of Representatives. 
Congressman Shays has represented the Fourth Congressional District of 
the state of Connecticut for the past 22 years.
  Born in the city of Darien, Chris is a lifelong resident of the state 
of Connecticut, attending school at Principia College where he received 
his bachelor of arts in American history and political science. 
Following college, Chris and his wife, Betsi, spent two years in the 
Fiji Islands as Peace Corps volunteers. Chris later attended New York 
University where he received his master of business administration in 
1974, specializing in urban affairs and economics, followed by his 
master of public administration in 1978.
  Chris began his political career at the age of 29 in the Connecticut 
State House of Representatives, serving from 1975 to 1987. In 1987, 
Chris was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives by a special 
election to fill the seat of the late Stewart McKinney. During his long 
career in Congress, Chris has served on

[[Page E2382]]

the Financial Services Committee, the Committee on Homeland Security, 
as well as the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he 
is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on National Security and 
Foreign Affairs.
  Known as a ``maverick'' and an ``independent thinker,'' one of his 
most well-known legislative accomplishments is probably the Shays-
Meehan bill, which was signed into law as the Bipartisan Campaign 
Reform Act of 2002. In his work on the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, Chris played a key role during the debate to create 
the new Department of Homeland Security.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a 
dedicated leader and friend to many in this body. I know his family, 
his wife, Betsi; his daughter, Jeramy; and his many friends and 
colleagues join me in honoring his accomplishments and extending thanks 
for his service over the years on behalf of the state of Connecticut 
and the United States of America.
  Chris will surely enjoy the well deserved time he now has to spend 
with his family and loved ones. I wish him the best of luck in all his 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________